Astronomical-telescope mount.



B. M. LUPTON, JR. ASTRONOMIGAL TELESCOPE MOUNT.

APPLICATION mum JULY 3,4014.

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B. M. LUPTON, Jn. ASTRONOMIOAL TELESCOPE MOUNT.

APPLICATION IILED JULY 3, 1914.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

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BENJAMIN M. LUr'roN, an, or JERSEY CITY, NEW Jensen.

ASTRONOMICAL-TELESCOPE MOUNT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

Application filed July 3, 1914. Serial No. 848,738. a

tures wherein right ascension and declination instrumentalitiesare employed.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is cheap, simple and durable in its construction, is not liable to get out of order, is efficient and reliable in its operation, is easily taken apart for convenience of packing and transportation, and

is as easily reassembled and adjusted for use.

Accordingly the invention consists, first, in

the combination with a pivotally supported headmember for the right ascension shaft bearing and its appurtenances, of a plural screw control whereby said member may be easily and accurately adjusted for changes of altitude and be firmly and positively held in anyposition of adjustment; secondly, in a novel construction and arrangement of the actuating worm gearing for eifecting the slow right ascension movement; and, finally, in novel sight means whereby the mount may be easily and quickly reset with respect to the right ascension or polar axis when used portably; all as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a telescope mount embodying my invention. Fig.2 is a partial elevation of the upper portion of the declination shaft bearing barrel and the telescope attachment onsuch shaft. Fig. 3 is a plan of the base for the pivotally mounted head member; showing the horizontal pivot bolt and the altitude adjusting screws. Fig. 4 is a section as on the line 1-4 of Fig. 1, showing the worm gearing for the right ascension slowmovement. Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the declination shaft bearing barrel as on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a "transverse section through the hub of one of the graduated circles, and ad juncts, as on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7

a is an elevation of the two-part worm bearing, showing the worm as journaled therein.

15 extending through and between a pair of upstanding lugs 16 on a base 17. This base is adapted to be bolted or otherwise secured to a tripod or pillar.:' The head 14; is provided with a dependingarm orlug18 against therespective sides of which bear two oppositely-disposed set screws 19 which are operatively fitted for horizontal adjustment to tapped posts 20 on the base. 17 By properly manipulating these screws their action on the opposing sides ofthe armpositively effects the adjustment of the head on its horizontal axisand thereby accurately adjusts the instrument for changes of altitude and at the same time, together with the clamping of the nuts on bolt 15, securely locks the instrument in the position of adjustment.

If desired a graduated altitude segment, as 20, may be provided, which segment in the present instance is represented as cast on or secured to the right ascension hearing structure in close relation to an indicator or index located at one of the screw bearing posts 20. i

The bearingbarrel 13 is provided about midway between its ends with a socketed boss or hub 21 to which the upper end of the i right ascension shaft 10 is tightly fitted and therein firmly held by means of a pin 22. Thus the barrel 13 not only partakes of the rotary movement of the barrel 12 but it is also rotatable on the. shaft was an axis, to

' effect the right ascension motion. The slow rotation of the right ascension shaft and bearing barrel 13 thereon is accomplished a through a worm wheel 23 and complementary worm 24. The worm wheel is provided with a split hub 25 which, being applied to the boss 21, is clamped thereto by means of 28 acting as dowels. The parts of the bearin 27 are of corresponding construction, one being in right hand and the other in left-hand position. Each part comprises a bar having at one end a bearing member 29. The worm is applied to the bearing members and the bars are then set side by side and riveted or otherwise secured together in parallel relation, thereby insuring rigid and proper alinement, of such members. The screws 28 by means of which the two-part bearing is secured to the head, insure the proper engagement and alinement of the worm with the worm wheel.

On the lower end of the shaft adjacent its bearing barrel is secured a graduated circle 30 which indicates, through a suitablylocated index, the angular distance measurements in the heavens in right ascension; and on the shaft 11 adjacent the lower end of its bearing barrel is also secured a graduated circle 31 which indicates through a suitablylocated index the angular distance measurements in declination positions, north or south. 1

Each of the circles is preferably heldin place on its shaft by means of suitably-disposed set screws 32 which are screwed into the hub of the circle so as to bear against a split protective bushing 33 encircling the shaft. Thus not only is secured an effective locking of the circle to its shaft, but provision is had for fine adjustment of the circle relatively to the shaft owing to the absence from the latter of indentations or like mutilations from direct set screws.

On the upper end of the declination shaft 11 is fixed a bed plate 3% for the telescope tube 35. This plate is provided with suitably-spaced orifices 36 through which pins fast on the tube extend similarly to dowels, and thus afford accurate positioning means for the telescope, said pins being partly screw-threaded for the reception of clamping nuts 37. By this construction it will be seen that by removing the nuts from the pins the telescope may be readily demounted, and may subsequently be i as readily remounted and clamped in accurate position. The shaft 11 is provided with the usual adjustable counterweight 38 for balancing the telescope.

i The upper portion of the bearing barrel 13 is preferably split on one side, as indicated at 39, and the divisions are provided with lugs 40 connected by a set-screw 41, whereby the bearing may be adjusted to effect more or less friction on the shaft 11, as desired, and whereby also the telescope may be firmly clamped in any position of declination.

With reference to the worm gearing here- ..inbefore described it is to be noted that the teeth of the worm wheel and worm are so pitch that one complete rotation of the worm (by means of a suitably-notched handle held in the operators hand) moves the worm wheel a known extent, and thereby, through the associated transmission devices of he mount, changes the position of the telescope a certain angular distance in right ascension. Thus the otherwise necessity of referring with the aid of artificial light, to the graduated circle 30 on the shaft 10, when working in the dark, is avoided. @bviously such light has a temporary detrimental effect on the eyes which have become adjusted to the dark and in proper receptive condition for observing hard celestial objects. v

As a simple and eflicient means whereby the mount may be easily and quickly reset with respect to the right ascension or polar axis, I provide a hole or bore axially through the right ascension shaft, as indicated at 42, and corresponding holes or bores transversely through the declination shaft and its bearing barrel 13, as indicated at A3, 44, respectively, all being in the same straight line, and preferably with crosswires or hairs positioned in a hole or bore of the bearing. By sighting through the alining holes, the direction of the north polar star, and consequently the approximate polar or altitude position of the right ascension axis, can be easily and quickly determined.

' The mechanism above described is designed primarily as a portable mounting for use on a tripod, but it may be permanently located on a pillar or other structure. It may be equipped with a clock attachment and other accessories.

I claim 1. In an astronomical telescope mount having ri ht ascension and declination shafts, and pivotally related bearing members for said shafts, the combination with said shafts and bearing members, of a base,

a head pivoted on said base having a de- I pending member, said head carrying the bearing member for the right ascension shaft, and oppositely-disposed adjusting screws arranged to bear against the respective sides of said depending member.

2. In an astronomical telescope mount, the combination of right ascension and dec: lination shafts, pivotally related bearing members for said shafts, pivotal supporting and altitude adjusting means for thebearing member of the right ascension shaft, and sighting means whereby the approximate polar or altitude position of the right ascension axis may be determined.

3. In an astronomical telescope mount, the combination of right ascension and declination shafts, pivotally related bearing members for said shafts,-and pivotal-supporting and altitude adjusting means for the bearin member of the right ascension shaft, sai latter shaft having ;an axial sighting bore extending therethrough, and

said declination shaft and its bearing member having holes in alinement with said axial sight ng hole.

4. In an astronomical telescope mount,

the combination of right ascensionand declination shafts, pivotally related bearing members for said shafts, and pivotal supportingand altitude adjusting means for the bearing of the right ascension shaft, said latter shaft having an axial sighting bore extending therethrough, said declination shaft and its bearing having holes in alinement with said axial bore, and one of said holes being provided with cross hairs.

5. In an astronomical telescope mount Gopleeot this patent may be obtained for having an adjustable clamp connection with the latter shaft, and a worm in mesh with said worm wheel having itsbearing in a bracket on saidsup ort.

Signed atNew ork in the county and State of New York this 1st day of July BENJAMIN M. LUPTON, JR.

Witnesses:

PIERRE A. Non, M. B. GoEwnY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, 11.1). 

